of 26,000 square kilometres - just right below the jagged and glaciated
ramparts of the Karakoram. Once part of Laddakh, it was known as
Tibet-i-Khurd - Little Tibet. Archaeological exploration has proven that
it was encompassed by the Silk Trade Route. Rock carvings have been
discovered along the road between Gol and Khapulu, and Skardu and
Satpara Lake. the trade routes here split in Skardu with one leading to
Satpara over the Deosai and Burzil Pass (5000 meters high) into Kashmir
and another leading to Gol. At Gol it forks again with one trail leading
to Khapulu, the other to Kharmang into Leh.
shangrila"
A RARE DESERT
skardu
One hears of deserts in plains but never at the foothills of 18,000 feet
high snow covered mountains. Skardu Valley is one such place which is
carpeted in fine ash white sand through which greenish blue in winter;
grey as tarnished silver in summer, the Indus snakes lazily between
wind-ribbed sand dunes.
skardu
Skardu: Amidst a landscape of stark mountains, deep and steep gorges,
crashing waterfalls and quiet lakes, Skardu, the district headquarters
of Baltistan valley, is situated on the banks of the mighty river Indus,
joined by the river Shigar just about 5 8 km further up. Perched at a
height of 8,000 feet/2438 metres, Skardu offers cool and bracing
climate. To the east is Laddakh, in the south Indian-occupied Kashmir
and to the north is the Chinese province of Sinkiang. Skardu is
strategically situated at the foot of an enormous rock, which is crowned
by a historic fort.
satpara
There are three lakes, Satpara about 8 km, lower Kachoora about 35
kilometres and upper Kachoora about 40 kilometres. The Lake Resort
Shangri-La (above - left) is a picturesque place to rest and admire the
beauty of Lake Kachura and Skardu Valley. To the southwest of the town
is the sprawling Deosai Plateau which can be reached via the beautiful
Sadpara/ Satpara lake just about 8 kilometres from Skardu. Deosai
Plateau is unique in many ways. About 70 kilometres across and averaging
3,500 metres / 11,660 feet in height, Deosai connects Baltistan with the
Astore Valley. It is to the north and east of Skardu that the Karakoram
mountains assume their most impressive and unyielding character. it
takes just two hours, by jeep to reach the gateway to the dreamland, the
ancient village of Shigar tucked up in a lush green valley having
abundance of fruit trees including apples and apricots for which the
whole region is renowned. Of the world's fifteen highest peaks, five are
located in this region, including K-2. Most of the longest and the most
dreadful glaciers of the world are also located in this greatest
geo-drama of the nature having no parallel on earth. Summers attract a
large number of mountaineers and trekkers from all parts of the world to
this valley. In fact, the entire region is known as the
mountaineer's/trekker's paradise.
The Kharfocho Fort or the King of forts at Skardu attracts tourists in
large numbers. The fort is attributed to the famous ruler of Skardu,
Maqpon Bugha (1490 - 1515 AD), the great grand father of Ali Sher Khan
Anchan (1560 - 1625 AD). However this claim is contradicted by the
Moghal historians, who are of the view that the great fort was built by
Ali Sher Khan Anchan himself. This view is upheld by European writers
such as Cunningham, Foso Marine, G.T. Vagne etc. Some observations about
this fort have been made in the Imperial Gazetteer of British India. It
states that one of the most famous of the Gralpos (Monarchs of Skardu),
Ali Sher Khan, who ruled till the end of the 16th century, conquered
Ladakh and built a fort at Skardu. Another palace, Mindoq Khar, was
built by Gul Khatoon or Mindoq Gialmo on the hill where now stands the
Kharfocho fort only. The palace was named after the queen as 'Mindoq
Khar' meaning the 'Flower Palace'. The Palace was destroyed by the
troops of the Sikh ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh, when he
invaded Skardu in 1840 AD. Just below the Mindoq Khar or Flower Palace,
there was a terraced garden with fountains built in marble. This royal
garden covered the areas from Mindoq Khan to the present bazaar at
Skardu where the newly constructed road crosses the channel. A palace
built in marble with towers also stood in the middle of the garden,
above the Polo Ground which is called Ghudi Changra. The palace was
destroyed during the great floods in the area after the death of Ali
Sher Khan Anchan and a marble Baradari was later constructed at this
palace. This royal garden was named Hilal Bagh (Crescent Garden).
Another garden was also laid which was named Chhar Bagh (four gardens)
on the site where a Girls College stands now. The said garden was laid
on the orders of the Queen while her husband was away to Gilgit and then
to Chitral. As the mother tongue of the Queen was Persian, she gave
Persian name to these gardens.
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